‘Bill Nye Saves the World’ Announced By Netflix

Netflix has announced that it will launch a new talk show, Bill Nye Saves the World, starring the famed scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor Bill Nye. The show plans to explore science and its impact on politics, society and pop culture. Each episode of the series, which will launch in spring 2017, will tackle a topic from a scientific point of view, “dispelling myths and refuting anti-scientific claims that may be espoused by politicians, religious leaders or titans of industry.” More details on this new series after the jump.

Like many of you, I was a fan of the Bill Nye the Science Guy television series growing up and have become an even bigger fan of his appearances in the media lately promoting science and skepticism in the face of political and religious agendas. Bill Nye Saves the World will bring in special guests, conduct experiments and demonstrations, and “ultimately let the facts lead the argument.” Topics for the first season include vaccinations, genetically modified foods, and climate change.

No word on if this will see a weekly release like a traditional talk show or if we’ll get the Netflix dump-the-whole-season model. I’m guessing the latter as the talk show won’t be as topical to current events as a standard talk show. I’m sure that Netflix has seen that their subscribers are interested in seeing more scientific discussion, as they have the analytic data on their selection of documentaries and shows like the Neil DeGrasse Tyson reboot of Cosmos. My only concern with this new show is it might all be too one note. One of the things I love about a show like Penn & Teller’s Bullshit is that they give time to the crackpots before debunking and presenting the scientific facts. Even though my

My only concern with this new show is it might all be too one note. One of the things I love about a show like Penn & Teller’s Bullshit is that they give time to the crackpots before debunking and presenting the scientific facts. Even though my beliefs are firmly in Nye’s camp, I think we need to see both sides — the crazier the better. I’ve also enjoyed Nye debating with these types in the past and Im hope that some of the special guests allow for this kind of interaction.

The full press release for the new show follows:

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES NEW TALK SHOW WITH BILL NYE

Set to debut Spring 2017, “Bill Nye Saves the World” will explore science and its impact on politics, society and pop culture

Los Angeles, CA (August 31, 2016) — Today, Netflix announced that it will launch a new talk show, Bill Nye Saves the World, hosted by the famed scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor. Set to launch Spring 2017, each episode will tackle a topic from a scientific point of view, dispelling myths, and refuting anti-scientific claims that may be espoused by politicians, religious leaders or titans of industry.

Bill Nye Saves the World will mark Nye’s long-awaited return to TV since first emerging as a household name in the 1990s as the creator and star of the Emmy award-winning syndicated television show Bill Nye the Science Guy, which ran for five seasons and introduced millennial audiences to science and engineering.

“Since the start of the Science Guy show, I’ve been on a mission to change the world by getting people everywhere excited about the fundamental ideas in science,” said Bill Nye. “Today, I’m excited to be working with Netflix on a new show, where we’ll discuss the complex scientific issues facing us today, with episodes on vaccinations, genetically modified foods and climate change. With the right science and good writing, we’ll do our best to enlighten and entertain our audience. And, perhaps we’ll change the world a little.”

In Bill’s unfiltered style, he will bring in special guests, conduct experiments and demonstrations, and ultimately let the facts lead the argument.

Bill Nye Saves the World is produced for Netflix by Bunim/Murray Productions. Gil Goldschein and Julie Pizzi serve as Executive Producers for Bunim/Murray Productions. Michael Naidus (The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson) serves as showrunner and Executive Producer. Writer and standup comedian Mike Drucker serves as Head Comedy Writer; and, astronomer, author and award-winning science communicator Phil Plait serves as Head Science Writer.

About Bill Nye

Bill Nye is an environmental advocate, television host, and licensed mechanical engineer with over two decades of successful public advocacy. As creator of the Emmy award-winning syndicated television show Bill Nye the Science Guy, he became a household name while introducing the millennial generation to science and engineering. Known as a champion of scientific literacy, Bill has challenged climate deniers, creationists, and other opponents of evidence-based education and policy across multiple media – including television, social media (3.4M Twitter followers), and with his two recent books, Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation and Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World. Since 2010, Bill has served as CEO of The Planetary Society. In 2015, Bill Nye added fashion designer to his résumé teaming up with Joe Boxer Founder Nick Graham to launch a limited edition capsule collection based on his iconic sartorial look: the bow tie. With every bow tie sold from The Bill Nye x Nick Graham collection, 10% is donated to The Planetary Society.

About Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 83 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.